High School Football: NC-41 Gillette-34, Central-31 KW-7

Top-ranked Natrona kept their unbeaten season alive as they held on Friday night to defeat Gillette 41-34. The Mustangs (9-0) led 34-14 at halftime and 41-20 in the fourth quarter before the Camels (6-3) came charging back and making it a game at the end. Natrona Linebacker Dan Reece tipped Gillette quarterback Kade Wasson's fourth down pass with less than 2-minutes to play preserving the win for the Mustangs. The Mustangs will host the eighth seed in the 4A playoffs Laramie (2-7) next Friday night at 7pm at Cheney Alumni Field.

Meanwhile the season came to an end for Kelly Walsh Friday night losing at Cheyenne Central 31-7 in the penalty filled game, in the Prep Game of the Week. The Trojans (2-7) lost two fumbles, one that was returned for a touchdown in the first half that doomed KW. The Trojans only touchdown came on the opening play from scrimmage in the third quarter when quarterback Terry Jackson went 59 yards. Both teams combined were penalized for nearly 200 yards. Kelly Walsh will look back at two games that prevented them from the playoffs. Their loss to Laramie and Rock Springs surprising win over Cheyenne East.

Here's a look at the first round pairings for the 4A playoffs that begin next Friday night.

#8-Laramie (2-7)  at  #1-Natrona (9-0)

#5-Evanston (5-4)  at  #4-Cheyenne East (5-4)

#7-Rock Springs (3-6)  at  #2-Sheridan (8-1)

#6-Cheyenne Central (5-4)  at  #3-Gillette (6-3)